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UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

Darvin Nelson

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter

In grade school, mystery books were the only kind of books I could tolerate. While my peers were reading The Fault in Our Stars, I either had my nose in a Nancy Drew novel or was in the middle of a chapter in Encyclopedia Brown. There was something about the characters’ ability to investigate a situation that I was envious of. So naturally, as I grew up, I gravitated to the idea of working in a student news environment.

Fresh out of high school, during Summer B 2019, I googled if UNF had a student news organization. That’s how I found Spinnaker, a warm nook in the Student Union with a welcoming staff. I started volunteering immediately. Since then, I’ve navigated almost half of the positions in the news department and learned tremendously from each.

I’m a photography major, so for me, combining photography and writing has been a successful recipe for informing others through effective journalism. Although there are challenges here and there that most journalists face, my curious mind keeps bringing me back to journalism, a truly alluring craft.

All content by Darvin Nelson
President Szymanski addresses Pride month

President Szymanski addresses Pride month

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor June 3, 2020

President Szymanski issued an email to students regarding Pride Month: “Dear Osprey Community, June is Pride Month and is an opportunity to honor and celebrate the positive impact that people who...

Join the Department of Diversity Initiatives for public discussions about race

Join the Department of Diversity Initiatives for public discussions about race

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor June 3, 2020

The Black Student Union and the LGBT Resource Center will be collaborating for a public discussion: Presented by Loud Lounge, the event will begin today starting at 1p.m. on the BSU’s Instagram...

Photo by Darvin Nelson

President Szymanski and Student Government respond to national demonstrations

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor June 2, 2020

UNF President Szymanski and Student Government emailed students with a letter regarding the demonstrations and movements across the nation. Letter from President Szymanski: “Dear Osprey Community, I...

Photo by Darvin Nelson

Jacksonville citizens gather downtown to join national BLM demonstrations; officer stabbed and cars vandalized

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor May 31, 2020

On Saturday, thousands of Jacksonville citizens gathered to join in the BLM (Black Lives Matter) protesting that have been happening in cities all over the country, inspired by the recent death of George...

Blast from the past: Twin Peaks

Blast from the past: Twin Peaks

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor May 28, 2020

The fictional small town of Twin Peaks, Washington is shaken by of the recent murder of Laura Palmer as her body was found wrapped in plastic on the shore of the local river. Laura’s death hits the...

Playstation’s annual Days of Play offers big savings deals on games

Playstation’s annual Days of Play offers big savings deals on games

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor May 27, 2020

Starting June 3, Days of Play is back for another year and will offer great deals on Playstation Now and Plus memberships, Virtual reality (VR) games, PS4 exclusives, and all sorts of Playstation products....

Olympics moved to summer of 2021

Olympics moved to summer of 2021

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor May 21, 2020

The corona-virus has dramatically impacted sports worldwide. As many sports programs were paused, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics was no exception and will now be held next year, in July of 2021. The Olympics...

Blast from the past: Beverly Hills 90210

Blast from the past: Beverly Hills 90210

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor May 20, 2020

Beverly Hills 90210 was one of the first teen dramas that greatly impacted American television. While on air, the show gained a large following and over the years, fans have been hoping for a successful...

Percy Jackson series in the making; coming soon to Disney Plus

Percy Jackson series in the making; coming soon to Disney Plus

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor May 19, 2020

Many fans have been wondering when the Percy Jackson stories would come back to life after the movie series was cut short. Rick Riordon, author of the Percy Jackson series, has confirmed that there...

Blast From The Past: Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Blast From The Past: Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor May 2, 2020

From “West Philadelphia born and raised,” Will Smith (played by Will Smith), is sent to live with his aunt, uncle, and cousins in their Bel-Air mansion. He soon realizes his street-smart style,...

St. Johns Town Center and The Avenues mall scheduled to reopen on Monday

St. Johns Town Center and The Avenues mall scheduled to reopen on Monday

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor May 1, 2020

The Avenues Mall,  St. Johns Town Center and the St. Augustine Premium Outlets are scheduled to re-open on Monday,according to an update from Simon Property President and Chief Administrative Officer...

A shot was fired inside The Cove dorm, Building V this morning. Phot by Colin McCann

Important information regarding on-campus housing beyond May 1

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor May 1, 2020

Senior Director of Housing and Residence, Robert Boyle, sent out an email to students regarding information about future on-campus housing beyond May 1. If you have extenuating circumstances that allow...

America Strong: The Navy's Blue Angels and Air force's Thunderbirds plan to honor frontline healthcare workers

America Strong: The Navy’s Blue Angels and Air force’s Thunderbirds plan to honor frontline healthcare workers

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor April 28, 2020

The Department of Defense released plans, in a joint announcement from the Navy and Air Force, to honor the frontline healthcare workers, first responders, and essential personnel in the midst of COVID-19.  The...

A guide to learning a new language

A guide to learning a new language

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor April 24, 2020

Lots of people want to be bilingual, but may not have the time or don't know where to start. Since COVID-19 has us stuck in our houses for the next few weeks, it is the perfect time to learn a new language....

What to expect from Netflix's "Hollywood;" Coming soon

What to expect from Netflix’s “Hollywood;” Coming soon

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor April 23, 2020

Ryan Murphy is a producer and director who has helped fabricate some of television’s most entertaining shows: American Horror Story, 9-1-1, Glee, The Politician, and now Hollywood. Hollywood is...

Netflix's "Outer Banks" review

Netflix’s “Outer Banks” review

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor April 22, 2020

“Outer Banks” (OBX) follows a group of teenagers that are trying to stay afloat as they uncover the secrets of a long lost treasure. Enemies multiply as they soon realize they’re not the only ones...

Foods that boost your immune system

Foods that boost your immune system

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor April 16, 2020

 As hand sanitizer disappears from the shelves of stores nation-wide, COVID-19 has made people more aware of their health. People are looking for ways to avoid becoming sick and while hand sanitizer and...

Tik Tok vs. Vine

Tik Tok vs. Vine

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor April 15, 2020

Digital media thrived in the 2000s and social media evolved to many platforms. Vine and Tik Tok are very similar social media platforms as creators have limited time to create entertaining videos, and...

Custodial staff and SERVPRO cleaning company clean the UNF campus

Custodial staff and SERVPRO cleaning company clean the UNF campus

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor April 15, 2020

Although most students and faculty are working from home, the UNF campus is still being maintained. Most of the maintenance is being done by UNF custodial staff, and some is being performed by SERVPRO,...

How social media impacts COVID-19

How social media impacts COVID-19

Darvin Nelson and Brett Nweeia April 10, 2020

Social media has been a large factor in the information spread of COVID-19. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms are booming with memes, news, and posts about the widespread epidemic.  As...

How to travel virtually from home

How to travel virtually from home

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor April 8, 2020

Traveling the world may not be a good idea considering the COVID-19 pandemic, but with today’s technology, you can travel without having to leave your bed.  Many companies and institutions all over...

Egg-cellent ways to celebrate Easter in quarantine

Egg-cellent ways to celebrate Easter in quarantine

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor April 8, 2020

COVID-19 has led to the cancellation of many events and gatherings, so you may have had to cancel the annual Easter egg hunt for social distancing purposes. Easter may be different this year, but Spinnaker...

Mayor Lenny Curry suspends all events in city facilities; Will the concert you planned to attend be cancelled?

Mayor Lenny Curry suspends all events in city facilities; Will the concert you planned to attend be cancelled?

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor April 2, 2020

Alicia Keys, John Legend, Elton John, and many other musicians were planning to come to Jacksonville to perform, but they may not be anymore. Many future concerts and live shows are being rescheduled,...

Photogallery: UNF Osprey's 2019-2020 Sports Season

Photogallery: UNF Osprey’s 2019-2020 Sports Season

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor April 1, 2020

Even with spring semester cut short, this has been an amazing season of enjoyable games. Spinnaker want to express our appreciation by sharing some of our favorite photos of some sports teams. Although...

April Fool’s Day pranks to pull on your family while in quarantine

April Fool’s Day pranks to pull on your family while in quarantine

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor March 31, 2020

Bored at home with your annoying siblings? March is over and April Fool’s Day is here, an annual tradition of pranks, fun, and feeling like an evil  mastermind. Here are some safe ways to mix up your...

Women's History Month: Dr. Jennifer Welter as the first woman to coach in the NFL

Women’s History Month: Dr. Jennifer Welter as the first woman to coach in the NFL

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor March 30, 2020

Dr. Jennifer Welter became the first woman to hold a coaching position in the NFL when she interned as the linebacker coach for the Arizona Cardinals in the 2015 preseason.  Dr. Welter was born...

Photo by Camille Shaw.

Remaining dining services on campus

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor March 26, 2020

From March 23 through May 1, UNF Dining Services will have special hours for the Cafe and Ozzie’s at the Fountains. Chick-Fil-a, Panda Express, Einstein Bagels, Slice, Chopped n Wrapped, Jamba Juice,...

Quality cinema to watch while you're at home

Quality cinema to watch while you’re at home

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor March 26, 2020

Here is some quality entertainment you can watch while you're social distancing. The list is not in any particular order and includes various genres and film styles that range from old to new, so there’s...

Women's History Month: Madam CJ Walker, America's first woman to become a self-made millionaire

Women’s History Month: Madam CJ Walker, America’s first woman to become a self-made millionaire

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor March 12, 2020

Madam CJ Walker grew her business by creating hair products, specifically for African-Americans. Within two years of selling products, she was making the equivalent of $150,000 a year.  According to the...

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[Photo] Ospreys down Buckeyes

Drew McDonald, Sports Editor March 11, 2020

Environmental club promotes reduction of single-use plastic with creative signs

Environmental club promotes reduction of single-use plastic with creative signs

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor March 7, 2020

The Environmental Advocacy Reach (EAR) placed signs promoting the reduction of single-use plastic around campus. The signs were made from cardboard and plastic materials and display messages about the...

University of No Fun? Apathy at UNF

University of No Fun? Apathy at UNF

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor March 6, 2020

You may not be involved in your school, be a member of an organization that helps you work towards your goal, or participate in a student club.  Like you, many students are not involved on campus and...

Mayor responds to ill passenger concern on Jax cruise ship; Conflicting information about monitoring coronavirus in Jacksonville

Mayor responds to ill passenger concern on Jax cruise ship; Conflicting information about monitoring coronavirus in Jacksonville

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor March 3, 2020

Recently, there has been conflicting information about people in Jacksonville being monitored for the coronavirus.  According to News4Jax, “The local Health Department said Monday there are no suspected...

Tony Roca

[Photo] Roca deals in win over Hawks

Drew McDonald, Sports Editor March 1, 2020

Trey Sprawling-Williams

[Photo] Bats fall silent in Ospreys’ seventh-straight loss

Drew McDonald, Sports Editor February 29, 2020

Trey Sprawling-Williams

Garrett Sams

[Photo] Ospreys finish strong to top Hatters

Drew McDonald, Sports Editor February 28, 2020

Garrett Sams

Jacksonville Book-fest with Brad Meltzer

Jacksonville Book-fest with Brad Meltzer

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter February 27, 2020

The Jacksonville Public Library (JPL) is hosting a Book Fest where local and national authors will come to interact. Author Brad Meltzer, a #1 New York Times bestselling author of “The Inner Circle”,...

The Talon Review presents Open Mic Night

The Talon Review presents Open Mic Night

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter February 27, 2020

The Talon Review is having an Open Mic Night tonight from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the UNF Gallery of Art. Students will reading their own short stories and poetry. The Talon review, founded in 2012,...

Oz-Fest recap: Carnival and concert

Oz-Fest recap: Carnival and concert

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter February 24, 2020

A giant crowd of UNF students swarmed as rappers Rich the Kid and Gunna performed. Gates opened a little after 5 p.m. and students were welcomed with free items, such as an Oz-Fest t-shirt and a stuffed...

The team won two out of three matches in the UNF Beach Invitational back in March.

First Competitive Beach Volleyball Game On New Court: Photo Gallery

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter February 21, 2020

This semester, UNF finally built and opened our very own set of beach volleyball courts called The Cooper Beach Volleyball Complex, or “The Coop”. The five courts, near the Softball Complex, are the...

Photo by Darvin Nelson.

Body Image Workshop: A Conversation on Love

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter February 17, 2020

Valentine’s Day either serves as a reminder of those who love you, or the absence of such love. Love is something most of us feel and is displayed in infinite ways; whether it's feelings, thoughts, flowers,...

Front cover of Vogue featuring Beyonce

Black History Month: First Black Photographer to Shoot a Cover for Vogue

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter February 14, 2020

In 2018, Vogue released their famous September fashion issue featuring  famous R&B singer, Beyonce Knowles, photographed by 23 year-old Tyler Mitchell; making him the the first black photographer...

Graphic abortion display on Campus: Why they’re here and what students think about it

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter February 11, 2020

Organizations like the Canadian Center for Bio-ethical Reform (CCBR) have held anti-abortion demonstrations at UNF before. The CCBR is an educational human rights organization that is against abortion....

UNF Osprey Sculpture. Photo credit Jonathan Merin.

Spring Into Action With These Events This Semester

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter February 4, 2020

Madeleine Albright: Tomorrow at 7:00 pm., Madeleine Albright, the first female secretary of state (under Bill Clinton) will be discussing her new book and career highlights at the UNF Arena. Prior to the...

Madeleine Albright.

Madeleine Albright to visit UNF

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter February 4, 2020

Tomorrow at 7:00 p.m., Madeleine Albright, the first female Secretary of State (under Bill Clinton) will be discussing her new book and career highlights at the UNF Arena. Prior to the event, the...

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[Photo] Ospreys steamroll past Owls

Zach Yearwood, Sports Reporter February 1, 2020

Photo credit Darvin Nelson.

Treatment on Candy Cane Lake

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter January 31, 2020

“I had no idea if it was algae or some kind of chemical,” worried Angela Baldi, a political science major. Have you walked by the lake and smelled something you can’t quite put your finger...

Wajid Aminu scored 11 and grabbed 11 rebounds in the win over Stetson.

[Photo] Sams, Ospreys top Hatters at home

Zach Yearwood, Sports Reporter January 30, 2020

Wajid Aminu scored 11 and grabbed 11 rebounds in the win over Stetson.

SG sign advertising the new Student Involvement Center at the start of the Spring 2020 semester. Photo credit Darvin Nelson.

Student Body President John Aloszka unveils new Student Involvement Center; clubs have mixed response

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter January 29, 2020

What used to be the Club Alliance has now evolved into the Student Involvement Center. On top of joining clubs, the center could help students find jobs on campus and become more connected with the university. According...

The UNF Bookstore. Photo credit Emily Echevarria.

Why is the bookstore so expensive?

Darvin Nelson and Emily Echevarria January 28, 2020

It’s a world all of its own-- a place that has everything you could possibly need. Out of mascara? Need a notebook for your 8 a.m. class? Or maybe even a snack, or a new shirt? It exists in its own...

Photo credit Darvin Nelson.

“The Sound of Music” photo gallery

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter January 28, 2020

The Swooptroupe presented an outstanding portrayal of the famous “The Sound of Music” musical with silky smooth vocals and a beautiful backdrop of the mountains. Funny lyrics, characters and comical...

Jazz Bond put up 11 points with 10 rebounds in the loss to NJIT.

[Photo] Bond records double-double in win over Lipscomb

Drew McDonald, Sports Editor January 25, 2020

Tiffany Tolbert scored 13 in the win over Lipscomb.

Wajid Aminu led the Ospreys in scoring with 21 points in their last game against JU.

[Photo] Clutch free throw from Sams lifts Ospreys past Flames

Zach Yearwood, Sports Reporter January 23, 2020

Wajid Aminu led the Ospreys in scoring with 21 points in their last game against JU.

Hands holding a cup of coffee

U.S. National Weather Service issues “Freeze Warning”

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter January 21, 2020

Brrrrring a coat if you’re going out tonight because there is a Freeze Warning from 12am until 2am with Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 32 degrees expected, according to the U.S. National Weather...

The Ospreys took down the Dolphins at Swisher Gymnasium back in January

[Photo] Green, Ospreys down Dolphins in River City Rumble thriller

Drew McDonald, Sports Editor January 20, 2020

The Ospreys took down the Dolphins at Swisher Gymnasium back in January

Lufrano Gallery

Lufrano Gallery presents “HABITUS: Contemplative Manifesto”

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter January 17, 2020

The Lufrano Galley has a new exhibit called “HABITUS: Contemplative Manifesto.” The exhibit features 30 different artists with colorful and intellectual pieces. The exhibit opened January 12 and will...

Darvin Nelson

A Level-Up for the Gameroom

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter January 15, 2020

Back in October, UNF’s Student Government had plans to place a Lend-A-Wing Pantry in the Student Union between Fall and Spring semester, including downgrading the size of the Gameroom to make room for...

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